351 4v heads

[burbygurby]

I have a 351 4v and had the engine at the machine shop getting cleaned and fixed up and they called my saying the heads are in pretty bad condition and they didn't recommend using them as it would take a lot of work for an okay job. I have been looking into other options and am just looking for suggestions. I don't really care to buy new stuff or an original and fix it up again but i have already bought most of the parts for the heads i was going to use so something that would fit those parts would be best...4v edelbrock air gap, ferrea valves (2.07/1.650), original rocker arms, flat tappet cam. I was originally planning on building the engine to around 400hp so I don't need any crazy super high tech stuff but I also don't want the worst things there are. Thanks!

 

[will e]

What do they think is wrong with them?
What parts do you have?

 

[burbygurby]

"4v edelbrock air gap, ferrea valves (2.07/1.650), original rocker arms, flat tappet cam" those the parts I got. They said there is some pretty badly pitted spots from rust and there are three hardened seats in it already and we don't know the quality of the last job but he doesnt want to take them out to go bigger and possibly hit the water jacket. and I was going to have it milled a bit to raise compression but they have been previously milled too and they did a pretty wack job so he didn't know how good he could make it.

 

[will e]

Sorry, did I miss that list in the original post? That's a decent set of parts and a good reason to keep with the 4V. An original set isn't impossible to find although a quick search shows they can be a bit 'pricey'. I can't help with what aftermarket might work. When I was searching for a set of 4V heads I don't recall many aftermarket options but it has been years.

The next question is how big of a rush are you in? If you want to get this done now you will probably pay a premium for heads but if you are willing to sit back with some cash a deal will eventually come along.